End-gate fastener.



PATBNTBD Amm, 1903.

w. R. vDUNKEL.

. vEND GATE FASTENBR. 'APPLIGATIONTI'LD rim. 27, 1903.

.no MODEL.v

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILBER R. DUNKEL, .OF PANA, ILLINOIS.

vEND-GATE FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 726,148, dated-*April21, 1903. Application led February 27, 1903. Serial No. 145,421.(YNojmodel.)

To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that'I, WILBER R. DUNKEL, of the city of Pana, in the countyof Christian and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in End-Gate Fasteners, ofwhich t-he following is aspecification.

This invention relates to end-gates formed of two pieces hingedtogether, one of the pieces being provided with a flap or extension andthe other part being provided with a fastening to engage the flap andhold the pieces in line.

The invention is confined to the peculiar lconstruction of thefastening; and the object is to provide a simple and effective fasteningthat is easily manipulated and that Will'not' jar loose.

The invention is exemplified in the structure hereinafter described andit is defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure l is a rearelevation of a wagon box, the end gate whereof is constructed inaccordance -With my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan of the end-gate separatefrom the wagon-box. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of a fragmentof thewagon-box and end-gate, showing how the fastener holds the gate lockedunder unusual and. extremecircumstances. Fig. 4 isa rear Velevationshowing a fragment of the wagon-box and end-gate, showing the fastenerin position to release the flap and permit the removal of the end-gatefrom the box. g

The sides of the wagon-box are shown at 1 and 2. One piece of theend-gate is shown at 3, a liap or extension 4 is secured to piece 3, andpiece 5 is secured to piece 3 by means of hinges 6. A metal plate `7v isattached to the extended ,endA of-flap 4 in any suitable manner, and ametal plate 8 is attached'to a Vcleat on piece 5 adjacent to the end ofthe Hap. The plate 8 has a -boss on which a fas'- ten'er 10 is pivoted,and a bolt 9 secures the fastener o n its pivot.. The fastener consistsof the principal member 10, which is elongated and provided at its endwith a lateral extension 11, a main lock extension 12, extending atapproximate right angles with member 10, and an auxiliary lock extension13 approximately in line with the principal member.

lock extension 12 extends across plate 7 and A A holds the pieces of theend-gate locked against swinging on hinges 6. When the wagon is loadedand there is pressure against the endgate, the friction developed bypressure of plate 7 against lock extension 12 will hold the fastener inplace. When the Wagonbox is empty, the jar of the Wagon, particularly onrough roads, will tend to swing the fastenerv from side to side;Ordinarily the extension 12 will keep in engagement with plate 7 as' thefastener oscillates, and whenever the jar is sufficient to swing lockextension 12 from contact with the plate 7 the principal member 10 orthe auxiliary lock extension 13 will engage plate 7 and hold theend-gate locked. Whenever the oscillation of the fastener becomes soviolent as to throw the principal member 10 upward and past the pivotthe auxiliary lock extension 13 will engage the plate 7-,- as-shown inFig. 2, and prevent the gate from swinging open. In reaching theposition shown in Fig. 3 the fastener must pass the opening positionshown in Fig. 4, and to facilitate such passage a nose of lock extension13 Vis turned slightly outward, as shown in'Fig. 2 and indicated byshaded lines in the other figures. This outward turn lforms an inclinethat permits extension 13 to ride freely over plate 7 and permits theWeighted end 11,.to pass the deadcenter before the gate has time toswing open.

The different parts maybe modified somewhat in form andproportio'nwithoutV departing from the principal of my invention, andthe plates 7 and 8 may be secured in place by various mechanicaloexpedients, so that I do not restrict myself to they details shown anddescribed beyond the terms of the claims.

I claiml. The combination in an end-gate composed of two pieces hingedtogether and an overlapping lock-Hap on one of the pieces, of a fastenersecured to the other piece of the end-gate adjacent to the end of thelock-Hap and composed of a principal weighted member, a main lockextension approximately at right angles with the main member and an'auxiliary lock extension approximately in line with the main member,substantially as described.

2. The combination in an end-gate composed of two pieces hinged togetherand an overlapping lock-Hap on one of the pieces, of a fastener securedto the other piece of the end-gate adjacent to the end of the lock-flapand composed of a principal Weighted mem-

